If you’ve ever laughed at anything you’ve watched on television or in a movie that was produced in the last 60+ years, chances are it was probably written or inspired by Carl Reiner. In the world of comedy, Mr. Reiner was a king, a relatable comedic genius who turned everyday things into big laughs.
Carl Reiner was born in the Bronx on March 20, 1922. His family was (mostly) uninvolved in show business; Carl himself had other plans until his older brother Charlie found a newspaper ad about a drama workshop and pointed it out to Carl. Mr. Reiner would later credit his decision to enter show business to his brother Charlie. After a life detour caused by World War II, Carl began performing on Broadway and eventually joined the writing staff of Sid Caesar’s Your Show of Shows where he worked alongside Mel Brooks and Neil Simon and often performed in the on-air skits as well. It was his relationship with Mel Brooks that would propel him to superstardom.
Carl and Mel’s friendship and creative partnership produced a practically perfect comedy routine- The 2000 Year Old Man. Carl would go on to create what is arguably one of the greatest television sitcoms ever made- The Dick Van Dyke Show. If I Love Lucy created the sitcom, The Dick Van Dyke Show perfected it. If Carl had ended his career at this point, he would still have become a legend. Mr. Reiner would continue to perform, create, direct and make people laugh.
Carl Reiner’s work will live on and continue to provide laughs and inspiration to the world.
